Gleanings from Orthodox Christian Authors and the Holy Fathers

self_condemnation

7 Entries

Blessed is he who, though maligned and disparaged every day for the Lord’s sake, constrains himself to be patient. He will join the chorus of the martyrs, and boldly converse with the angels. Blessed is the monk who regards himself as hourly deserving every dishonor and disparagement. Blessed is he who mortifies his will to the end, and leaves the care of himself to his director in the Lord; for he will be placed at the right hand of the Crucified. He who will not accept a reproof, just or unjust, renounces his own salvation. But he who accepts it with an effort, or even without an effort, will soon receive the remission of his sins. St John Climacus, "The Ladder of Divine Ascent", Step 4: On Blessed and Ever-Memorable Obedience (Boston: Holy Transfiguration Monastery, 1978)

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If you want to cure your soul, you need four things. The first is to forgive your enemies. The second is to confess thoroughly. The third is to blame yourself. The fourth is to resolve to sin no more. If we wish to be saved, we must always blame ourselves and not attribute our wrong acts to others. And God, who is most compassionate, will forgive us. Teachings of Saint Kosmas Aitolos

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The hermit father Philaretos from Karoulia was taken (from Mt. Athos) to Thessaloniki to appear in court, where he as unjustly accused of taking an ancient book which had been stolen by a tourist.

He had no money to pay the fine. "Either you pay, Father, or you go to jail," the judge said to him.

"I prefer to go to prison. I have no money. Besides, this way, I will remember the eternal prison," he replied.

When finally some of the faithful paid the fine, he said, "I have been freed from the earthly prison. I wonder if I will be set free from the eternal one?" Someone asked him, "How was it in Thessaloniki, Elder Philaretos, how were the people?" He had not been there for fifty years, and he replied, "What can I say, Fathers? They were all rushing about for their salvation. I am the only negligent and lazy one." An Athonite Gerontikon

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This is the great work of a man: always to take the blame for his own sins before God, and to expect temptation to his last breath. St. Anthony the Great

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We relinquish a light burden when we condemn ourselves, but we take upon ourselves a heavy burden when we attempt to make ourselves righteous. Abba John, in The Paradise of the Holy Fathers, V. 2

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It is always possible to make a new start by means of repentance. 'For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again' (Prov. 24:16). And if you fall again, then rise again, without despairing at all of your salvation, no matter what happens. So long as you do not surrender yourself willingly to the enemy, your patient endurance, combined with self-reproach, will suffice for your salvation. 'For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient,'says St. Paul, '...not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us' (Tit. 3:3,5). St. Peter of Damaskos.

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120. When evil thoughts become active within us, we should blame ourselves and not ancestral sin. REF:Saint Kosmas Aitolos +1779

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